Скачать или смотреть Synovial fluid analysis; diagnostic test to evaluate joint health by examining fluid that lubricate

Synovial fluid analysis is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the health of a joint by examining the fluid that lubricates it—called synovial fluid 🦴💧. This test is especially useful when a patient presents with joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, and the cause isn’t immediately clear.

🧪 What Is Synovial Fluid?
A clear, viscous fluid found in joints like the knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows.

It reduces friction, nourishes cartilage, and acts as a shock absorber.

🔍 Purpose of Synovial Fluid Analysis
Used to diagnose or monitor conditions such as:

Septic arthritis (joint infection)

Gout or pseudogout (crystal-induced arthritis)

Rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis

Hemarthrosis (bleeding into the joint)

Lupus or other autoimmune diseases

🧫 What’s Analyzed in the Fluid?
Test Component What It Reveals
Appearance Clear/yellow = normal; cloudy = infection or inflammation
White blood cell count (WBC) High = infection or inflammation
Red blood cells (RBC) May indicate trauma or bleeding disorder
Protein & LDH Elevated in inflammatory or infectious conditions
Glucose Low levels may suggest infection or inflammation
Crystals Monosodium urate = gout; calcium pyrophosphate = pseudogout
Gram stain & culture Detects bacteria or fungi in septic arthritis
🩺 How It’s Done
Performed via arthrocentesis: a needle is inserted into the joint to withdraw fluid.

Local anesthesia is used to minimize discomfort.

The sample is sent to a lab for analysis.

🧠 Interpretation Tips
Normal fluid: Clear, colorless or pale yellow, viscous, sterile.

Inflammatory fluid: Cloudy, high WBC, low glucose.

Septic fluid: Purulent, very high WBC, positive culture.

Crystal-rich fluid: Seen in gout or pseudogout under polarized light microscopy.


#Synovialfluidanalysis